When a couple experiences difficulty in conceiving, the issue could be anything. It could be with one or both partners or something completely different. When it comes to male fertility, it is not just the sperm count that matters. The shape of the sperm and the way they move is also important. Have you heard of teratozoospermia? Here is everything you need to know about this condition that could be affecting your pregnancy attempts.
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Teratozoospermia is a male fertility condition where a male has high amounts of abnormally shaped sperm. It can lead to fertility issues like delay in conception or even infertility.
When a man ejaculates, it will contain healthy sperm, dead sperm, mucus, and other fluids, as well as some abnormal sperm. When the percentage of abnormally shaped sperm exceeds 96% of the semen sample, it is known as teratozoospermia.
The causes of teratozoospermia could be any of the following:
● Genetics – Some chromosomal conditions or genetic abnormalities can affect the shape of the sperm, resulting in teratozoospermia.
● Hormones – An imbalance in hormones responsible for sperm production and health can affect the sperm shape. Hormonal imbalances can arise due to genetic issues, underlying health conditions, certain medications, or lifestyle factors.
● Medical Treatments - Treatments like Varicocele help enlarge the veins within the scrotum. This can affect the quantity and quality of sperm produced. Chemotherapy can also affect sperm shape and quality.
● Exposure – Exposing testicles to excess heat like sauna, hot tub, hot shower, very tight clothing, and underwear made from non-breathable fabric that can heat the skin can all increase the risk of teratozoospermia.
● Lifestyle – Smoking, regular consumption of alcohol and drugs, poor diet, and not exercising can affect sperm morphology and quality.
● Infections – Certain infections or STDs can affect the testicles where the sperm are produced and thus impact sperm shape or quality.
Teratozoospermia can affect any male, irrespective of his age or ethnic background. Some men are at a higher risk of developing this condition than others if:
● They have a family history of this disorder
● They have undergone or are undergoing chemotherapy
● They had pelvic or adrenal surgery
● They are suffering from diabetes.
The sperm contains three parts – the head, midpiece and the tail. Teratozoospermia can be classified into types depending on which part of the sperm has the abnormality. If the semen sample contains less than 70% abnormally shaped sperm, then it is normal, and the chances of it affecting fertility are very low. The different types of teratozoospermia based on their severity and impact are:
● Mild Teratozoospermia – When less than 90% of the sperm in the semen sample have an abnormal shape. Natural conception is possible.
● Moderate Teratozoospermia – When 90 – 95% of the sperm in the sample are of abnormal shape. It may require IVF or ICSI for successful conception.
● Severe Teratozoospermia – When more than 96% of the sperm are abnormally shaped. Natural conception is highly unlikely.
● Astheno Teratozoospermia – When sperm shape and motility are not normal.
● Oligo Teratozoospermia – When the sperm count is very low and sperm morphology difference is very high.
A male may not realise he has fertility issues until he tries to impregnate his partner. If the couple is unable to conceive naturally, any fertility specialist will check both partners for signs of infertility.
A semen analysis will help check the sperm count, morphology, motility and shape. In case of any inconsistencies or suspicion, the doctor will ask for a detailed family history, medical history, and lifestyle choices. These details can help them confirm the diagnosis.
The treatment for teratozoospermia depends on the intensity of the issue and the impact it has on one’s pregnancy attempts. Some treatments a fertility specialist may suggest are:
● Surgery – In the case of varicocele, a surgical repair may help.
● Treatments – If the teratozoospermia is preventing pregnancy, the couple can opt for assisted reproductive techniques like IUI, IVF or ICSI
● Donor Sperm – If the sperm is unable to result in pregnancy despite the ART treatments, the couple can use donor sperm.
● Supplements – In the case of mild teratozoospermia, vitamin supplements can help improve sperm health and increase the chances of pregnancy.
● Lifestyle Changes – By leading an active lifestyle, exercising regularly, and following a nutritious diet, one can improve sperm health. Avoiding regular consumption of alcohol, smoking or drugs can improve sperm morphology, count and overall health.
● Treating Causes – If the teratozoospermia is triggered by some underlying health condition, treating that condition can help improve sperm health and morphology.
If treatments can’t improve a male’s teratozoospermia, couples can opt for assisted reproductive techniques like IUI, IVF or ICSI. In all these three treatments, the healthy sperm is extracted from the semen using a method called sperm wash. The healthy sperm are then concentrated into a liquid, which is inserted into the woman’s uterus. These methods may not work for some couples. Remember, infertility or inability to conceive depends on various factors, including but not restricted to the sperm shape and quality.
Teratozoospermia is not a permanent fertility issue that prevents couples from conceiving. In many cases, medications, changes in diet, and lifestyle can help improve sperm shape and quality, thus resulting in pregnancy.
● It depends on what type of teratozoospermia it is. If it is mild teratozoospermia, pregnancy is still possible, but chances are very low. If it is severe teratozoospermia, pregnancy is unlikely without any treatment or changes in lifestyle and diet to improve sperm quality.
● Teratozoospermia does not present any obvious symptoms. The only symptom is the inability to impregnate the partner. When a couple is unable to conceive, the fertility doctor will run a set of tests on both partners to identify issues like teratozoospermia.
● Teratozoospermia can be classified into three types according to its intensity – mild, moderate and severe teratozoospermia.
● Your fertility specialist will prescribe medications after running all required tests. The medication can vary according to the type and impact of teratozoospermia. Sometimes, it may require medications, and sometimes, just changes in diet and lifestyle can help. The most common type of medication used to treat teratozoospermia is estrogen receptor blockers.
